Patriots spend offseason giving back to community

New England Patriots

Staff

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (May 2, 2019) – During the NFL season, Patriots players spend every Tuesday volunteering throughout the New England region. Whether they’re reading to children, visiting patients in hospitals or providing meals to people experiencing homelessness, the players are committed to bettering their communities.

Their dedication to the community carries over to the offseason months as well. Patriots players, cheerleaders and Pat Patriot were very active during the month of April, helping to make a positive impact on thousands of children and families. Below is an overview of the community activations that took place this April.

Patriots celebrate local libraries

April 7 to April 13 was National Library Week and the Patriots wanted to show their support for libraries across the region. In honor of the week-long celebration, Patriots players, cheerleaders and Pat Patriot visited six different public libraries including Bellingham, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Norfolk and Walpole. At each event, the special guests read children’s books to families and spoke about the importance of education.

In celebration of National Library Week, Patriots players, cheerleaders and Pat Patriot visited six different public libraries. The special guests spent time reading to children and families in Bellingham, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Norfolk and Walpole.

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Duron Harmon brings awareness to autism

For more than two years, Duron Harmon has been using his platform to spread awareness about autism and provide support to those with autism spectrum disorders and their families. On April 10, in honor of National Autism Awareness Month, the Patriots defensive back spent time with students at the Boston Higashi School. Harmon participated in a school-wide assembly and led students with autism spectrum disorder through a physical education class. FULL STORY

Two weeks later, Harmon hosted 25 students from the Crossroads School in Marlborough, with autism spectrum disorders and related diagnoses, on a Boundless Adventures field trip. Boundless Adventures is an aerial adventure park which combines high ropes courses with zip lining. Harmon led the students through the various courses, ensuring that they all had an unforgettable experience.

In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, Patriots safety Duron Harmon helped lead 25 students from Crossroads School with autism spectrum disorders and related diagnoses during their trip to Boundless Adventures, an aerial adventure park in Berlin which combines high ropes courses with zip lining.

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Patriots show support for military families

April is also the month of the military child and an opportunity to show appreciation for the families of our nation’s military. For the past five years, the Patriots Foundation and the New England Patriots Alumni Club have brought their free Football for You clinics to military bases during the month of April. They continued this annual tradition by hosting two special Football for You clinics for military children at Joint Base Cape Cod and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard/Pease Air National Guard Base. More than a dozen current and former players participated in the clinics and led more than 200 children through football skill stations. Patriots cheerleaders and mascot Pat Patriot were also in attendance to lead a cheering clinic. The Patriots Foundation and Patriots Alumni Club will be hosting more than 20 free Football for You clinics all across New England this spring and summer. FULL STORY

Season ticket members join Huddle for 100

In honor of the NFL’s 100th season, fans are encouraged to join their favorite teams and players in a Huddle for 100. The goal is to have one million fans donate 100 volunteer minutes. To help kickoff this initiative, the Patriots Foundation hosted a Huddle for 100 event at Gillette Stadium during draft weekend. More than 200 season ticket members volunteered alongside current and former Patriots players to create birthday kits for children in hospitals. All of the kits were donated to the Confetti Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Rhode Island that has thrown more than 6,000 birthday parties for children in hospitals across the country. Brandon King, Christian Fauria and Dan Koppen joined the season ticket members at the event and helped to announce two of the Patriots draft picks from Gillette Stadium.

In honor of the NFL's 100th season, fans are encouraged to join their favorite teams and players in a Huddle for 100. The ultimate goal is to have one million fans donate 100 volunteer minutes. To help kick off this initiative, the Patriots Foundation hosted a Huddle for 100 event at Gillette Stadium during draft weekend. More than 200 season ticket members volunteered alongside current and former Patriots players to create birthday kits for children in hospitals. All of the kits were donated to the Confetti Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Rhode Island that has thrown more than 6,000 birthday parties for children in hospitals across the country. Brandon King, Christian Fauria and Dan Koppen joined the season ticket members and announced two of the Patriots 2019 draft picks.

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Rob Gronkowski recognized by Make-A-Wish

During his time in New England, recently retired Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski left an indelible mark on and off the field. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and board member Dan Kraft to make more than a dozen wishes come true. For his unwavering commitment to the nonprofit, Gronkowski was presented with the Hero Award at Make-A-Wish’s annual gala on April 6. FULL STORY

Patriots Foundation makes donation to Boston Children’s Hospital

In June of 2018, the Patriots rookie class visited Boston Children’s Hospital. During their visit, the players worked with New Era and several patients to design two Patriots winter hats. Once the hats were completed, they were available for purchase at the Patriots Pro Shop. Part of the proceeds from the hat sales were earmarked for Boston Children’s Hospital. The hats were a big success and on April 23, Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett and Patriots cheerleaders presented a $5,000 donation to the hospital. The special guests also spent time visiting patients and families throughout the hospital.

In June of 2018, the Patriots rookie class visited Boston Children’s Hospital. During their visit, the players worked with New Era and several patients to design two Patriots winter hats. Once the hats were completed, they were available for purchase at the Patriots Pro Shop. Part of the proceeds from the hat sales were earmarked for Boston Children’s Hospital. The hats were a big success and on April 23, Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett and Patriots cheerleaders presented a $5,000 donation to the hospital. The special guests also spent time with patients and families throughout the hospital.